The Mullen Fire in Wyoming’s Medicine Bow National Forest continues to grow and continues to get more dangerous.
At 8 p.m. on Saturday, the U.S. Forest Service reported that resources fighting the fire had to be pulled back due to strong and shifting winds.
Aerial resources, they said, were also pulled because of the erratic winds and the poor visibility.
“There is intense fire activity on multiple flanks,” the Forest Service said in its 8 p.m. incident report. “The possibility for extreme fire behavior exists through the weekend.
According to the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center, 7,365 acres are affected by the fire but the Forest Service said “it is likely much larger.”
Earlier in the evening, Gov. Mark Gordon indicated a higher number as well.
“The Mullen Fire on the Medicine Bow National Forest is now estimated at 7,500 acres and is one mile from 25 summer cabins near Rob Roy Reservoir. Keep our fire crews and these homeowners in your thoughts,” Gordon tweeted.
The Forest Service reported that the Rambler and Rob Roy areas had been evacuated as of Saturday night. The Keystone area is under pre-evacuation notice. This includes Keystone proper, lower Keystone, Langford/Ricker, Moore’s Gulch, and 507C cabin grouping.
The communique also reported:
– The fire has crossed the Savage Run Wilderness boundary on the south flank, as well as the 512 Rd
– Fire is now established in the Platte River Wilderness
– On the east side, the fire has crossed the Savage Run Wilderness boundary over the 511 Rd, near Forest Road 562
Earlier Saturday evening, the Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities said the fire could have an impact at some point on Cheyenne’s water but “Cheyenne’s drinking water remains safe.”
“The location of the fire is by our main drinking water reservoir, Rob Roy. We do not know the impact of the Mullen Fire at this time, but the location suggests there may be some adverse effects to the City of Cheyenne’s water collection system and water quality.”
As for the immediate future, the Forest Service warned of future closures.
“This is a major fire, folks. Larger area closure coming for Medicine Bow,” the agency tweeted.
